AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 15, 2025

Belinda Bencic

Press Conference

B. BENCIC/S. Lamens

6-1, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Belinda, just talk us through the match, and how glad you are to get through in straight sets.

BELINDA BENCIC: Yeah, glad to get through in straight sets. I'm happy with a set and a half how I played.

Yeah, I felt like she started to play better, maybe taking a little bit more risks. I started to be a little bit more passive in the second set, so I'm happy that I was able to, you know, to stay tough in that moments. Yeah, very happy to be through.

And also before the rain, it was a little bit tricky, like, with the wind and everything. So I feel like a lot of players are struggling a little bit today because it's kind of tricky conditions.

Yeah, I'm happy.

THE MODERATOR: How are you feeling in terms of your recovery now that you are really in a routine of playing multiple matches?

BELINDA BENCIC: Yeah, I feel really good. I feel like Grand Slam is always easier, like you get the day off, and I usually prefer to play back-to-back days to stay in the rhythm, but also now it's nice. I have more time, you know, just a little bit practice and then more family time. We went to the aquarium yesterday, so that was nice.

Yeah, in terms of, like, physically how my body feels, is really good. It's nice to see also for us how I'm responding to everything.

But it was also really good in Adelaide, you know, I was playing back-to-back matches from qualifying.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Is the routine the same as before? Have you change little things like during days off?

BELINDA BENCIC: I would say it's a little bit different. I think we're just, like, doing more fun stuff and, like, trying to go out for a walk or trying to go to the aquarium. I don't think I would be going to the aquarium before (smiling).

So I think just in terms of family time, it's definitely changed. Kind of different things to do now in terms of preparation, but it's better, because it takes I think my mind off tennis a little bit.

Q. You talk about tricky conditions. The court is special because there is a bar right on the court. Did you ever see something like that before? How do you feel about it?

BELINDA BENCIC: Yeah, I didn't mean the court in particular. I meant more like the swirling wind and the weather changes and about the rain.

But yeah, the court was tough for me also, because it's just, like, blasting music there and people having beers and chatting. So I was really, like, coming to the court, because I warmed up there, and then I was, like, focusing a lot, like, to be focused, basically to not let it distract me. Sometimes you pick up, like, one voice, and you just cannot, like, un-hear it.

Yeah, I just really tried to, yeah, focus on myself. Even, like, not listen to the music and, yeah... I think I managed today.

Q. Next match, you will play against Naomi, you think?

BELINDA BENCIC: She won? Okay.

Q. You have a good record against her. How do you see that match?

BELINDA BENCIC: Yeah, I think it's going to be a fun match. I mean, I think she beat me last time, but I have a good record against her. But it doesn't really mean anything anymore. I feel good to play her. I think it's going to be a nice match. Hopefully on a big court.

Yeah, really enjoying, I mean, to be in the third round and to have an opportunity like this, yeah.